Overshadowed by Controversy has several examples, particularly under the Fan Works, Webcomics, and Web Original folders, that don't fit the trope as described. The controversy is supposed to overshadow the work, so if it doesn't do that it shouldn't count as a valid example.
The media folders, such as Anime or Western Animation, could also use a look, as some entries deal with shows, while others deal with actors, fans, or creators. Additionally, some of the entries are not controversial anymore or are not known enough to overshadow the show completely, and others seem closer to Never Live It Down.
Some examples even point out that the controversy was debunked or died down eventually, which doesn't fit the trope, as well as examples saying things like "time will tell if [x] can recover." I originally tried the Real-Life cleanup section, and then a TRS thread, but I hope this is the right section to help us clean up this trope's examples. ^^
MOD NOTE: For something to be overshadowed by controversy; it has to have a significant, arguably overwhelming impact on that work/creator/thing that’s provable by pointing to actual evidence beyond social media likes or a news report. The controversy has to be bigger than the thing for it to overshadow the thing.
For a work, did it bomb directly due to the controversy? Was it pulled from shelves or streaming services? Nothing like this? Then it most likely doesn’t count.
For a creator, did they lose their job/get banned or lose all of their sponsorships or are unable to get any work directly due to the controversy? Did they at least retire directly because of the controversy? Nothing like this? Then it most likely doesn’t count.
Valid examples would be people like Gina Carano or Louie CK. As they were both fired and black listed for their controversies. Or Johnny Depp and Amber Heard are now more known for those controversies than their actual careers. Clearly being overshadowed by it.
If only chronically online people like us are going to be aware of something, it definitely doesn’t count. The controversy has to be so big that even people who are rarely online or know very little about something, would still have heard of the controversy.
Edited by kory on Oct 4th 2025 at 10:21:54 AM
Here's a write-up attempt:
- Antoons is an animator who's best known for his Deathbed series, portraying the deaths of well-known fictional characters. In 2020, he would begin making intentionally offensive political comics on his Twitter that earned him the ire of many. What solidified his infamy was 1: He harassed the then underage nonbinary artist Puppychan, made a game with them doing something incredibly gross and inappropriate Explanation (NSFW Warning) , and would reach the point that Puppychan later attempted suicide. And 2: his pettiness in response to critics of his content such as response videos, sending out false copyright strikes (one of which succeeded), and sending porn to a then underage Youtuber. The latter inevitably earned him even more scrutiny and his Twitter usage was became so toxic as to get his Twitter account banned.
Made some modifications related to that.
Edited by DDRMASTERM on Jan 22nd 2022 at 4:22:34 AM
This was just added to the real life subpage:
- The 2020 presidential election is noted for Donald Trump's refusal to concede to Joe Biden after he lost by filing 65 Frivolous Lawsuits right up to the Supreme Court in an effort to flip the results of the six swing states Trump lost, baselessly claiming that Biden won by cheating, and spreading conspiracy theories that voting machines were hacked to flip votesnote . Although he grudgingly conceded once the results were certified, Trump remains sour on losing re-election and has called for the 2020 election to be overturnednote . Even before the 2020 election, Trump made baseless accusations that the COVID-19 Pandemic was part of a plot to oust him from power and gave confusing statements on whether he'll concede or not. This culminated in a mob of Trump supporters attacking the United States Capitol on January 6th, 2021 while Congress was busy certifying the Electoral College results to the point that the rioters nearly killed Trump's vice president Mike Pence when he ignored Trump's demands to not certify the results. It led to Trump's second impeachment, even though he was acquitted again.
- In particular, the first presidential debate turned nasty as Trump constantly heckled in an effort to derail Biden's attempt to answer questions given to him by moderator Chris Wallace, forcing an irate Biden to give a Big "SHUT UP!" at one point. Most people agreed that Trump came off too caustic due to his antics. The 2nd debate was canceled because Trump was diagnosed with COVID-19 a few days later but refused to do it virtually. The ensuing criticism forced the final debate's format to be changed, most notably cutting off the mikes when each candidate's allotted speaking time was up.
- Fearing that postal ballotsnote would erode his chances of winning, Trump even demanded in-person voting and tried to have the Postal Service slow down mail deliveries, though it led to an outcry of medical supplies not being delivered in time. Trump also suggested delaying the election, but even his own partymembers denounced him as only Congress can delay the election.
Not only is it a massive Wall of Text, but I question what is being "overshadowed" here. The election? Is it saying the Capitol riot overshadowed the election? Are we allowed to list stuff like this? Requesting more opinions.
Works That Require Cleanup of Complaining | Troper WallPolitical examples need to wait 10 years either way.
Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper Wall
Thanks. I've chopped the example on those grounds.
So, startlingly, it's actually been six whole months since the Chris-chan incest thing, and naturally it's immediately been added back to the page
.
Do we remember correctly that this incident was special-case forbidden from being mentioned anywhere? And if not... uh, should it be?
Suddenly I'm... still rotating Fallen London in my mind even though I've stopped actively playing it.We discussed this in Wiki Talk. That thread's answer was no, and thus the example should be cut on those grounds.
Works That Require Cleanup of Complaining | Troper Wall
I'm open to that, although I'm concerned that people will start using pre-commented out "Don't add X" comments as a way of sneaking in examples like they did before.
I think a note should be added. The site is so big and a large number of people on the forums don't edit and vice versa. That's it's very possible this got missed by a lot of people. So just to inform them.
"That's right mortal. By channeling my divine rage into power, I have forged a new instrument in which to destroy you."Oh no I said I was open to it. I’ll rescind my claim if people feel it isn’t enough of a concern.
Works That Require Cleanup of Complaining | Troper WallYeah, this isn't a pre-commented out example like the others because it's actually been six months since it happened, and it's a response to an actual problem. I say we add a vague note about it.
"Please do not add Chris-chan to this page. Personal discussion of her is banned from this wiki."
Maybe even a clarification tacked on that she probably wouldn't qualify as everything about her and the comic has been used for controversy anyway and there's not much left to overshadow?
Edited by mightymewtron on Jan 23rd 2022 at 2:40:41 PM
I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.
No, that sounds like a good idea, so people don't start complaining on ATT and stuff.
Found this in the new trivia page for The Red Ape Family:
Overshadowed by Controversy: NFT technology is controversial for a number of reasons that we won't get into, but the fact that an entire animated series was being based on their most iconic (or infamous, depending on who you ask) product was more than enough to warrant immediate backlash.
1) Not a trivia item
2) Hasn't been six months yet
Might count in the long run (though the show also sucks on its own merits) but for now, axe it.
I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.There's also a ROCEJ pothole too. We shouldn't be doing that.
Also, went and deleted this entry per an older post:
- International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is one of the foremost names in information technology, but the company's history is difficult to discuss without mentioning their close association with Nazi Germany during World War II. While many foreign companies did business with the Nazis, most retracted their support once the Nazis rose to power and few were directly involved with their atrocities; IBM has a particular infamy for the fact that not only it did do business with the Nazis, but they were intimately involved with The Holocaust (inventing some of the world's first computers to help keep track of victims) and are, to date, the only one of these collaborating corporations that has never apologized. Tellingly, they were evidently worried their far-right past might catch up with them in light of the #BlackLivesMatter movement exploding like it never had before in mid-2020, because while Amazon and Microsoft suspended business ties with the police until nationwide law enforcement reforms took place, IBM went a step further by cutting ties with the police permanently.
Like of course it's difficult to discuss their history without it, it's part of their history. Also, wasn't all of this before they were popular in the mainstream in the 1980s? It also acts like the same people who ran IBM during WWII run it nowadays.
Edited by PlasmaPower on Jan 27th 2022 at 12:14:04 PM
Thomas fans needed! Come join me in the the show's cleanup thread!

The works themselves probably don't count. The interactions with his critics, however, might count if they're what made him infamous. Again, that's largely how I know of him — cuz he harassed an underage artist who criticized him.
Edited by mightymewtron on Jan 21st 2022 at 12:37:29 PM
I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.